Yesterday was not the first time that I walked the Milky Way; I have blogged about it a few times, mostly recently two years ago in July 2017. What surprised me most this time was just how little has changed. A lot of murals and paintings were done in 2013 and they are still there.

“The residents whose properties border on the lane have provided the following background information on the proposed name:”

” …throughout each year, the Galle family, who’ve lived at 441Montrose (the east side) since 1972, includes many Montrose residents in their annual celebration of making the “sugo” or tomato sauce, the roasted peppers and peperonata party, and the spirited soppressata contest, which they bring from their home country of Italy. Everyone learns the old world techniques and celebrates their new life in our Canadian context.

To commemorate how our lives have been enriched by the Galles welcoming and generous spirits, and in keeping with the traditions they’ve taught us and that we’ve now made our own, we propose the lane be named “Peperonata Lane” as a way of celebrating their unsung contribution to our neighbourhood”.

Wood cracks. Metal rusts. Paint fades and paint peels, its just what happens to paint when its exposed to the elements. Street art painted on a surface suffers the same fate. Nothing lasts forever and sometimes a mural’s life span is quite short. Sometimes other factors come into play – street art is defaced or altered in some way. Tags cover it; words get written on it. That too is the nature of street art.

below: I love what the weather has done to this woman’s face. Aging with grace and dignity. The texture of the old wood adds an element of depth and character to her as well.

below: One slat replaced. I’m sure it wasn’t the artist’s intent, but the gaps in the wood look like bars in a cage, or those metal bars you often see on windows.

below: Broken chin, but still watching the world pass by on Baldwin Street.

below: Yelling at the bushes.

below: Eyes are mysterious things. I have never been able to draw them properly and I am in awe of those who can. Even more so if the eyes communicate something, some emotion or expression.

below: I have always been intrigued by this face. A photo of the original painting hangs on one of my walls. I still find her mesmerizing. Those blue eyes still stare at the world. Is she looking through a veil? Or is she able to see through all the nonsense that the world throws at her?

below: A devilish child is still in good shape.

below: “Without money we’d all be rich”. That’s the kerb (curb) that runs along the bottom of the picture. Her whole face was not there in the first place.

As you may know, every few months I wander down Rush Lane and all the other lanes that make up Graffiti Alley on the south side of Queen West. There is usually something new on the walls and hydro poles and there are often people watching opportunities as well. Wednesday’s walk did not disappoint. Here is the photographic evidence – some street art that I saw for the first time and some worth a second look… and even a person or two.

below: Taking selfies is an artform in itself.

below: Making a video in one of the side alleys.

below: A home for hundreds of stickers, all nicely frames together

below: This poser bunny takes the spotlight.

below: A new piece, with some older poser bunnies in the background.

below: When I first saw this piece (by elicser?) I thought that he had his heart in his hands. As I look at it more, I’m not so sure. Any ideas? Also, “How long do we have?” An open question, an incomplete question, a mysterious question, or a question of philosophy. You see, one question leads to another.

below: This one isn’t new and isn’t particularly outstanding, but the way the sun was shining on it caught my eye. A bit of a silly comment – I’ll assume that W C doesn’t stand for water closet!

below: Donald Trump and the lovebot share a pole. Poor lovebot 😦

below: Street art by gems

below: One more new street art piece

below: Talking trash says “She’s bound to put a blanket on my bed”.

below: A small blue airplane and another little blue thing, all that remains of a larger mural painted long ago.

below: Apparently he doesn’t miss us?

below: Oh no! Stikman is behind bars and lovebot’s been restrained.

below: A seat and a smoke at break time. Maybe he’s texting his girlfriend about the weirdos he sees in the alley. Or maybe he took my picture and he’s adding it to his instagram collection of strangers in the lane! 🙂

below: A protest piece. A play on the national anthem. Oh Canada our home on native land.

below: One word of warning if you plan to walk this alley in the late afternoon, you may be dodging cars that are trying to avoid Queen Street traffic.

below: But you’ll also be entertained by those who get stuck. It’s especially amusing when it’s the more aggressive drivers who are thwarted. It is a working alley, not a street, after all.

Today’s blog starts with an anatomy lesson as illustrated by vampz on a wall in Graffiti Alley – the arterial and venous blood flow of the head and neck.

I walked the alleys behind Queen St West today to see if there was anything new. The biggest new pieces were the above head and a new birdo creation, pictured below. A realistic looking blue jay and a floating pink gem.

below: The back part of the blue jay is on the side wall of the garage
which produces an interesting 3D effect.

below: This tribute to the basketball Raptors and their appearance in the 2016 Eastern Conference Finals is also a new addition. DeRozan is pictured on the left and my apologies for not knowing the player on the right. Unfortunately, it was too close to garbage day and the bins were overflowing so I couldn’t move them out of the way. Next time.

below: And unfortunately, garbage was an issue today.

below: The face isn’t new to the alley, but the words are.
Written by a woman with priorities!

Pretty female working retail falls in love with guys who need bail
the sweet smell of lust or love
you mean well, but money can get her a new car and clean nails.
The Lady”

below: Love Department featuring Phoebe.
You can find more of her on instagram @phoebenewyork

below: Even a simple smile will do most of the time.

below: Cloud Monet and the woman in white, or Who you lookin’ at Mr. Fish?

below: A couple of stikmans. No anatomical realism here!

below: A bit of mystery. I’m not sure if it’s a stikman or if it’s a newcomer to the alley

Back in the spring I posted pictures of the murals that were painted on the north side of the railway underpass on Bloor Street just east of Dundas Street. Since then, the walls on the south side have also been painted. Both walls were Wallnoize projects.